Manila, Philippines — In spite of boasting a robust infrastructure, the Philippines finds itself lagging behind its Southeast Asian counterparts in terms of internet resilience.
According to the recently unveiled Pulse Internet Resilience Index (IRI) by the Internet Society, the Philippines secured a score of 46 percent, positioning itself 7th among the 11 nations in the region.
Surpassed by Singapore at 72 percent, Vietnam at 52 percent, Brunei, Malaysia, and Thailand each at 51 percent, as well as Indonesia with 48 percent, the Philippines managed to outdo Myanmar’s 45 percent, Cambodia’s 43 percent, Laos’s 44 percent, and Timor-Leste’s 38 percent.
The regional average stands at 49 percent, outpacing the collective Asia with 46 percent, the Americas and Oceania at 45 percent each, while Africa trails with 35 percent, though it remains below Europe’s sturdy 60 percent.
The Internet Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring a globally connected, secure, and open internet, introduced the IRI as a groundbreaking tool. This index sheds light on the internet resilience of 170 countries, evaluating four critical metrics: infrastructure, performance, security, and market readiness.
Explaining the concept, the Internet Society highlighted that “a resilient internet connection is one that maintains an acceptable level of service in the face of faults and challenges to normal operation.” This notion has gained traction among policymakers and activists around the world, particularly as internet infrastructure becomes a cornerstone of a nation’s economy and society.
The Internet Society suggested that the IRI’s insights could guide decision-makers in the Philippines, enabling them to identify strengths and weaknesses within the country’s internet ecosystem. By employing data-driven strategies, these leaders could make informed choices regarding investment to enhance overall resilience.
In the individual metrics breakdown, the Philippines notched a 48 percent in infrastructure, securing the third position within the region. For performance, it landed at sixth place with a score of 48 percent, while in security, it ranked ninth, achieving a 54 percent score. In terms of market readiness, the Philippines captured eighth place with a 35 percent score.
Infrastructure score hinges on the availability of physical infrastructure that furnishes internet connectivity. Performance assesses a network’s capacity to offer end-users consistent, reliable access to internet services. Security evaluates a network’s ability to fend off intentional or unintentional disruptions through security technologies and best practices. Market readiness measures the market’s capability to self-regulate and provide affordable pricing by maintaining a diverse and competitive market.
The Internet Society acknowledged the Philippines’ notable infrastructure ranking in the region, commending the “good, fixed line coverage not often seen in island nations.”
Emphasizing the importance of dependable internet connectivity, the Internet Society drew attention to the challenges faced by countries without sturdy internet infrastructure. Such nations often contend with under-provisioned networks and lack resilient cable infrastructure and redundant interconnection systems. In regions prone to internet outages, the potential for improved interconnection from neighboring countries is limited, and global providers are less inclined to invest due to the unreliable nature of the connection. Consequently, internet access costs soar for end-users.
Source: PhilStar Global
